What was a key feature of the governance in Japanese feudalism?

In Japanese feudalism, a key feature was the strong emphasis on agricultural output. The economy was fundamentally agrarian, and the productivity of the land was essential for the sustenance of the local lords and their samurai. The land was controlled primarily by daimyos, who would oversee the agricultural practices and ensure that their territories were productive. This economic dependence on agriculture was central to the feudal system, as it supported the samurai class and maintained the social structure of the time.

While control of the empire by a single leader may apply to a later period in Japanese history, such as the unification under the Tokugawa shogunate, the essence of feudalism was not centralized but rather decentralized, with power held by various regional lords. Empowerment of women in warfare does not align with the socio-political dynamics of the time, as warfare was predominantly a male domain. Lastly, leadership in the feudal system was generally based on hereditary lines rather than merit-based selection, aligning with traditional practices of authority and kinship rather than democratic principles.